Marion from ?MUVSU?
It is easy to reduce formerly incarcerated individuals to their worst mistakes, however this paints an untrue portrait of a person. Marion is a creative soul, a loving mother and grandmother, and a woman of unparalleled altruism. Since her release from Rikers Island jail 18 years ago, Marion has devoted herself to organizing and advocacy efforts for incarcerated women and formerly incarcerated women. She knows how dehumanizing incarceration can be and how important it is for women to regain possession of their own power.
While incarcerated, the normally vivacious Marion stayed quiet to survive. She had a release date and knew she had to sacrifice aspects of her personality to avoid a situation that could extend her time. “I became meek. I had to become not who I am to survive jail,” Marion said.
While incarcerated, Marion experienced trauma. She says that an enormous amount of trauma can be inflicted within one 24-hour day inside. Marion said “It is those little nicks of trauma that cause us to come out different than before we went in. Inside jail we are stripped down and work for pennies (usually not enough to even buy soap and deodorant from commissary); then, we are charged all kinds of court and jail fines and fees that come out of our commissary (even when someone puts money on our books from outside). Adding to our humiliation is the requirement to ask officers for basic needs such as feminine hygiene products and toilet paper, and possibly be denied. That is extremely dehumanizing.”
While incarcerated, Marion lived in the sprungs - built structures (that look like tennis bubbles) that were outside of the facility near the water. In the cold December temperatures, Marion recounts sleeping in all of her clothes and her coat under the itchy blanket that was provided. Each day walking to and from the facility for meals and work, she would have to walk outside in the cold and be exposed to other disgusting conditions that included walking through mounds of stinking bird feces.
Although conditions were horrendous, Marion found kindness and support from other incarcerated women. “They taught me how to jail: money on my books, jail fees, commissary, visits, what jobs to take and which not to, navigating court dates, what officers to stay away from and who was alright.” Marion said. Seeing women come together in hardship and the beauty of this womanhood and sisterhood has inspired everything that Marion has done since her release. “Women are naturally loving and supportive. Even in the worst conditions (of confinement) our compassion and empathy reach up from deep inside of us and make us look out for each other.” Marion said.
After being released from Rikers to a woman’s shelter, Marion completed the Coalition for Women Prisoners Reconnect Project and then a year of service as an AmeriCorps VISTA with Prison Families Community Forum. In her second year out of jail, Marion was hired by the Center for Constitutional Rights as the Lead Organizer for the NY Campaign for Telephone Justice. She thrived in people power, social justice and advocacy work. “Now, I've realized this whole life! People get paid to organize and build, and fight against injustice. I never knew this world existed right here.” Marion said. Her recent advocacy and organizing efforts include completing the College and Community Fellowship/WISH advocacy training; member of the CLOSERIKERS campaign with The Freedom Agenda; member of the BeyondRosies campaign with the Justice 4WomensTaskForce; contributor of oral history and member of design team for the Rikers Public Memory Project; and a new member of Witness to Mass Incarceration.
?MUVSU? (What Moves You?) began during the COVID-19 pandemic to combat Marion’s depression caused by isolation. She turned sadness into beauty using her talents to create something original and purposeful. Although Marion enjoys her full time career her true passion lies in the ways she can help people through her creative work with ?MUVSU?.
The most important part of ?MUVSU? is the donation portion in which every purchase of a bag or shirt from the business helps to gift a bag to a woman returning home from incarceration. Marion does not profit from ?MUVSU?. “I just want to be the creative that I am right now. I am obligated to give back to women and What Moves You? is a simple way to build a movement that enables others to give as well. ?MUVSU? has helped people in very significant ways; people who give and women who are gifted.” Marion said.
She thinks the idea of being gifted a unique bag is extremely important for formerly incarcerated women. Marion said, “When we are incarcerated, we are stripped of our possessions; every woman carries a bag, every woman has baggage; ’the bag’ also represents money, material wealth, larger goals in life, and keeping the focus.” Each bag that is gifted to a formerly incarcerated woman contains a handwritten note that says, “Welcome home – this Bag is made by me, especially for you, to be filled with your Uniqueness!”.
Marion also gifts her bags to women in hospitals, nursing homes, students, and women who are houseless. The bag, no matter who it is going to, is gifted with good intention to hold good intentions. “There isn't a day that goes by that I'm not going to do something for someone else if I can, so the bag is just my unique way of giving back.” Marion said.
Marion specifically donates to women and emphasizes the beauty of womanhood and camaraderie in her business. She knows firsthand the value of this type of sisterhood. “I'm forever indebted to all the formerly incarcerated women in the programs I attended and the women leading the efforts that support us,” Marion said. “I'm home 18 years and these same women are still the backbone in my life today.”
Now, Marion is excited about ?MUVSU? being a part of Witness’s “The MAP” project. She’s excited about having a way for businesses to expand their networks and have opportunities to reach out for help on their projects. “Many formerly incarcerated people lead organizations, campaigns and have our own businesses. I am grateful to be a part of The MAP and I will represent -- and promote it and us.” Marion said.
She also wants to continue “the MUVSUment” and forge new ways for formerly incarcerated individuals to work together and help one another. “I love the idea that we can integrate the work of those of us...who [are] in the directory,” Marion said. “What moves you? What can I do for you? How can I help? [and] then the magic happens.”
Abby Stern